Answers to Red Sox Questions

QUESTION ONE: WHERE DOES JED LOWRIE FIT IN IN THE INFIELD?

Interesting question. I'd say right now he has a utility role, filling in all over the place. He might be their best option at third if Beltre cannot be retained, and he does quite well defensively over there. However, I don't imagine seeing him starting anywhere but third in the 2011 season, and I don't see him doing that either. He could win the starting shortstop job from Scutaro somewhere down the road, like Kalish might have done with Cameron had he stayed healthy. He'll be at short, third, and second, and emergency first. If Pedroia somehow is not ready for Opening Day, Lowrie will get the start at second.
QUESTION TWO: WHAT THE HECK DO WE DO WITH THE BULLPEN?

Sign some free agents, pick up some scrapheap finds, bring up some minor leaguers, and be ready to change it all up in an instant if something goes wrong. Theo cannot be afraid to trade, sign, release, or send down someone to fill a whole.
QUESTION THREE: HOW DO YOU END UP WITH THIS MANY OUTFIELDERS, AND HOW DO YOU DIVIDE UP ALL THE PLAYING TIME?

You end up with this many outfielders because of necessity. You never would have needed McDonald if the injury crisis had not happened. Kalish, according to NESN.com, would have come to the MLB anyway, regardless of injury, but when you need him, you need him, and you use him. And I have no idea how to divide up the playing time. If they don't go for Crawford, then they'll have Ellsbury, Cameron, Drew, Kalish, Nava, and McDonald on the same team. If McDonald doesn't stay, you have Ellsbury, Cameron, Drew, Nava, and Kalish. I'd say start Ellsbury in left, Cameron in center, and Drew in right, but Drew's and especially Cameron's playing time will be cut down.
QUESTION FOUR: WILL LARS ANDERSON AND OTHER PROSPECTS STAY IN THE MAJORS? WHERE DO THEY ALL FIT IN? ARE THERE ANY OPENINGS?

Doubront, Kalish, Nava, and Anderson will likely be at the major league level. There is no reason to send Anderson down, he's ready for the MLB challenge. There might be openings in the outfield if Nava and Kalish can have breakout years. Ellsbury might not stay, and Drew certainly won't. I don't really know if it's a good idea to bring in another outfielder like Crawford right now, because he wants a lot of years, and that creates big blocks for prospects. Yes, there are openings, but not really until 2012.
QUESTION FIVE: WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH JONATHAN PAPLEBON?

Keep him and see what happens. If he stinks, trade him midseason or use him in a different relief role.
QUESTION SIX: WHAT THE HECK DO WE DO WITH ALL THESE INJURIES? HOW CAN WE PREVENT THEM?

There's nothing to do now but see how the injuries effect Youkilis and Pedroia from what they used to be. We just have to evaluate how badly the injuries have changed the players. And we can prevent them with a better medical staff, possibly, possibly shin guars for Pedroia, or just plain luck.
QUESTION SEVEN: WHAT ARE OUR PLANS FOR THE LONG TERM? HOW TO CREATE OPENINGS AT THE MAJOR LEAGUE LEVEL WITH ALL THESE CURRENT STARS?

Wait until 2012 comes along, and if you want Kalish, Redick, and Nava to have openings, just wait for Drew and Cameron to be gone. Don't sign any other outfielders, you'll dig yourself into a whole you cannot dig yourself out of. And a few of these current stars will be gone soon enough. But I would say that with this many prospects, especially rotation and outfield prospects, you might need to trade a few guys and stay away from the FA list. It's a problem.